Defensive tackle Agoucha makes commitment to Tech

Bobby Agoucha hopes to be an impact player for Texas Tech. To do so, he'll need to have a much more settled college than high school career.

Agoucha, a defensive tackle who said he's attended five schools since eighth grade, has made an oral commitment to the Red Raiders. Agoucha (pronounced "Uh-GOOCH-uh'') said he was measured at 6-foot-31/2 during his campus visit and weighed 320 pounds.

In his senior year at Oklahoma's Putnam City North High School, Agoucha was credited with 18 tackles and three sacks, but was eligible to play only half the season.

"The first thing was coming back to Texas,'' Agoucha said of his decision to commit to Tech. "That was the main (reason) was getting back to Texas. Then second was Texas Tech. That's like one of the best schools you could be at. Then I looked at the Big 12. I'm going to be playing against the best of the best.''

Agoucha, who was born in Greenville, Miss., said he considers the Houston suburb of Alief his hometown, because it's where he spent more than half his life. Since eighth grade, however, Agoucha said he has attended the Alief Learning Center alternative school, Alief Elsik High School, John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, Katy Cinco Ranch and Putnam City North. Agoucha said he didn't get to play during his junior year at Cinco Ranch. After missing the first half of his senior season, he said he thought his college prospects were nil.

He said he drew late attention from Kansas State, Oklahoma and smaller colleges, though Tech was the first to offer a scholarship.

"The best thing about me is I play mean,'' Agoucha said. "I'm a mean player, but I can play smart. I'm big, but I'm real quick on my feet. I'm originally a defensive end. In the 11th grade, I clocked a 4.7 in the 40 (yard dash). I've gained weight, but I'm still quick.''

Oral commitments are non-binding. The national signing period begins on Feb. 7.

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The following players have made oral commitments to or signed with the Texas Tech football program. An asterisk (*) denotes members of The Avalanche-Journal Fabulous 44 list of the state's top recruits, and a grid (#) denotes members of The A-J state Top 100 list.

Signed at mid-term: De'Shon Sanders, 6-1, 200, CB, City College of San Francisco/Hobbs, N.M., HS.